Having an HVAC system that works well can make a home run better. But if you experience a failure of your HVAC system, the situation can become frustrating very quickly. Learning how to maintain your unit minimizes the tips will prove very useful.
If your HVAC system is acting up, take a tour of the house prior to calling a professional. Figure out which rooms feel hot and which feel cold. The contractor can probably figure out and fix the problem easier.
If you have some problems with the HVAC system, take a look around the house prior to calling a contractor. This will help the contractor determine where the problem is.
Turn the power off so you don’t get hurt or break something. Next, pop off the grill, put the blades out and start to gently clean them along with the unit.
Think about what improvements you want made before picking an HVAC contractor. A contractor cannot give an accurate estimate without looking at your system. It will be even harder if you cannot explain what you have done. So, have this information ready.
Your HVAC unit may suffer when your trees start to lose leaves. Make sure the fan’s grill is cleaned frequently when the leaves begin to fall. The fan needs unobstructed air flow, and if it gets blocked, you’ll have a lot of headaches eventually.
10 Drops
If your unit is outdoors, clean them regularly. Falling leaves and wind or rain may cause debris to reduce the efficiency of your unit. Also, you are risking your system overheating.
Lubricate the oil ports on your fan condenser once a year.You can find the ports covered with rubber or metal cap. Use a lightweight, and put 10 drops or fewer in each port, putting 10 drops in each port.
Be sure to have twice annual HVAC unit in your home checked about two times every year. This should be checked often for debris and again in the spring.
Clean the fan blades and coils on the condenser fan every spring. Before you begin cleaning the unit, make sure that it is unplugged. Then, take the grill off, pull the blades out, and gently clean them as well as the unit itself.
During the visit, the serviceman will inspect the unit’s motor, oil the moving parts and check the freon levels in the system. These simple tasks will help keep your system to run at its peak performance.
Never allow the temperature in your home to get dangerously high level. Air conditioners can only cool a home by just twenty degrees Fahrenheit within a reasonable amount of time. If the temperature in your home rises above 100 degrees, cooling it will only drop the temperature to 80 degrees F. This is not a healthy environment to live in.
Make sure that you do not cover your outdoor components with grass clippings when you are trimming the grass. Have the grass shoot in the opposite direction. This applies when you are taking care of the leaves in the yard.
Research the reputation of companies that you consider using. Check with different references to determine the best one for reviews posted by former customers. These steps are going to help make a better decision.
Look for calculators online to help you determine the size of unit is necessary for your room or home. Look in the manual to determine the recommended size for air conditioners.
Have your HVAC serviced at least yearly. It’s best to have it checked before you turn it on for the summer and again for the winter. Regular inspection will help you avoid unexpected repairs.
Companies with proven track record that you can use to decide if they are worth the time and money. Hiring an inexperienced contractor who is just starting out can be risky.
Contractors charge different rates, so make sure you get quotes from several contractors before you make any hiring decision. You can save tons of cash simply by asking for many quotes. You want to get quotes from at least five contractors in order to know what reasonable rates are.
Replace single pane windows by installing double pane, if possible. Having double pane windows allows your air conditioning unit to be run much less during the summer, because the cool air is kept inside the home. It also facilitates heat retention in winter.
Think about getting a radiant barrier in your attic so support the efficient functioning of your HVAC system. It blocks outside heat from coming in which will make sure you won’t have to use more energy to keep your home cool when it’s hot or cold as it should be. You may even use the attic as part of your living space if it is done right.
Do you wish to buy a new HVAC system? There are several things to consider. Systems are given ratings by how well the system is able to cool or heat an area well. You are wise to err on the side of a unit that is slightly too large for your needs than a smaller one.
In order to keep energy costs down, make sure heating and cooling systems are services at least once per year. When they visit to service the unit they’re going to inspect the motors, oil the parts that move, and see how much freon is in your system. These simple tasks will help keep your HVAC system running smoothly.
Check the ducts to find any leaks if your existing system is not be working efficiently. Once you fix the leaks, you will save substantial money on heating and cooling costs.
Now that you have the information from the above article, it is easy to see the importance of keeping your HVAC system well maintained. Without routine maintenance, disaster is inevitable. Use these ideas to keep your HVAC running well.
Air conditioners tend to ice up at times. The drain line also occasionally freezes, which can be misdiagnosed as a plumbing leak. Switch the thermostat to the fan only. The ice will melt. You will likely need professional help to stop the problem.